Modelling fluid structure interactions during cilia beating

In the lungs, cilia drive the flow of the mucus film which acts to clear the airways of unwanted particles and molecules. As part of a larger project developing models for relating the structure of the mucus proteins with the flow of the mucus film, we will develop models for how the back and forth motion of the cilia results in the fluid flow of the mucus film, paying particular attention to the type of flow field that that they generate. We will use the Lattice Boltzmann method to model fluid and the Lattice Spring method to model the cilia, with a key aspect of the project being the development of methods for coupling the two together whilst ensuring the conservation of momentum and energy.